Chapter 8

Two Years Later

"Thank goodness high school is almost over with. Only four months left and I'll be officially done with high school," I said, talking to Brian and Kevin. We were hanging out in our clubhouse. "So what have you decided to do Kevin?" I asked.

"I'm not sure what college to go to. I'd like to join the Air Force because I would love to fly, but I also love to sing and I want to do something like that. So I'm not exactly sure what to do. I'm still discussing it with my dad. How about you Brian? What's next after high school?" Kevin asked.

"I'm not sure yet. My biggest concern right now is Prom. It's the end of this month. I need to start looking for a date. What about you Janel, do you have a date?" Brian asked.

"Well. . .I was hoping to go with a very good friend of mine, but I don't think he'd want to go with me," I said, staring at Kevin. Then I gave him my puppy dog face to be more convincing.

"Oh, Janel Elizabeth Evans! I can't believe you just used the puppy dog face on me. Of course I'll go with you. But you do plan on wearing tall shoes, right?" Kevin asked, smiling.

"Yes, why do you ask? No, wait. Let me guess. You just don't want to be seen with a midget. Is that right?" I asked, pretending to be hurt.

"Yes," Kevin said while laughing.

I hit him playfully in the arm and said, "Well it's not like I'm glad to be going with a giant!"

We continued to mess around with each other and make fun of each other. Well actually we were kind of flirting, but we wouldn't admit it.

'I hate it when they flirt. Every time I have to sit here and watch this, while they forget I'm here. Of course, if you tell them to stop flirting and hook up, they'll completely deny that they were flirting,' thought Brian.

"Hello! Earth to Boo and Pumpkin. Do you realize that I'm still sitting here?!" Brian asked.

"Oh, sorry cuz. Won't happen again," Kevin said laughing.

"Yep, we promise," I said, giggling.

'Yeah, right,' thought Brian.

"That's great that you two are going to prom together, but what about me?" whined Brian. "Who can I ask?"

"Oh, I know. How about Ashley? She's always talking about you. She thinks you're really funny and nice," I said.

Ashley was one of my friends at school. We had three classes together and hung out whenever we could. She was about 5'3", so it was nice having another short person with me. She had shoulder length light brown hair that was naturally curly. She also had blue eyes, that everyone loved.

"Funny and nice, that's it?!" Brian asked.

"Oh yeah, and she thinks you're pretty cute, maybe even hot. Did I forget to mention that to you?" I asked, laughing.

"Ha! Ha! Very funny, Janel. But does she really think I'm hot?" Brian asked, excitedly.

"Yes, she does. So are you going to ask her to Prom?" I asked.

"Yes, I'll ask her tomorrow," Brian said, happily.

"Great now all of us can go together as a group. How about we go to the movies now?" Kevin suggested.

"Sure," both me and Brian answered.

So we walked out of our clubhouse and to Kevin's car.

"Oh, Pumpkin. Do you have your drivers license? They might think you're trying to sneak into an R-rated movie with us," Kevin said laughing.

"That's it Boo!" I said running in front of him. "Now give me the keys!" I ordered.

"Only if you can reach them, Shorty!" Kevin said laughing, while holding the keys above his head.

There was no way I was going to reach the keys by jumping, so I decided to tickle him. He immediately dropped his hands down to prevent me from tickling him. I snatched the keys from his hand and ran to the car.

"Brian, get in the car and lock all of the doors!" I yelled.

I hopped into the drivers seat and locked the door. Then I started the car.

"Okay, I'm sorry, no more short jokes. Now let me in!" Kevin yelled.

"Nope. That's what you get for making fun of me. I guess you'll be walking to the movies," I said while backing out of the driveway.

Both me and Brian were laughing our asses off. I drove away looking in the rear view mirror. Kevin was standing there shocked with his arms crossed. Then he began to give me the puppy dog face. I shook my head no, and continued to drive. I turned the corner and left him standing there.

"You're not going to leave him standing there, are you?" Brian asked, while laughing.

"No, I'll just circle the block and then we'll go back for him. Did you see his face? It was hilarious," I said laughing.

We continued to laugh while I drove around the block. Then I pulled up next to Kevin's driveway. He was sitting on the curb with his arms crossed. Brian unlocked the back car door and he got in.

"Of course, you know I must get my revenge on you," Kevin said smiling.

"Oh, I'm scared," I said laughing.

Brian thought, 'Oh great. Here we go again with the flirting.'

That was one of the best nights I had had in a long time. The older I got the worse the beating and the more often he would touch me. It didn't matter if I avoided Jerry or not. He would beat me every night. Then I would cry myself to sleep.